TOWN OF MARINGOUIN
PUBLIC HEARING/ REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING
January 13, 2025
MARINGOUIN TOWN HALL
6:00 P.M.
MINUTES
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen met in a Public Hearing with the following members present: Mayor Maurice Harris, Alderwoman Veronica Hill, Alderman Justin Bessix, Alderwoman Edna Mitchel, Alderman John Carriere.
Alderman Jerone Martin was absent. Also present was Town Attorney Jerry Guillot and CPA Jacob Waguespack.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Harris opened the meeting with a Roll Call, Pledge and
Prayers.
Public Hearing was opened on a motion from Alderwoman Mitchel, seconded by Alderman Carriere and unanimously approved by the Board in attendance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: A question was asked about an enclosed structure being considered a temporary living facility. There were no other comments.
A motion was made by Alderman Bessix to close Public Hearing and go into regular scheduled meeting, motion was seconded by Alderwoman Hill and unanimously approved by the Board in attendance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Harris announced that a workshop would be held at the Community Center on January 25,2025 for homeowners.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS: A request for additional information was made about the city limits expansion. He stated that several people are interested in having the city limits expanded but wanted to retain the Parish gas.
A complaint was made concerning property that needed to be torn down and grass needing cut. Mayor Harris explained that tearing down these houses were expensive, in the past and an Engineering firm was hired to condemn the house and the expense of cleaning the lot was done by the Town. Costs for this operation are not in the budget at this time.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Alderwoman Hill to approve the minutes from the January 13, 2025 meeting. Motion was seconded by Alderman Carriere and unanimously approved by the Board in attendance.
NEW BUSINESS: Plans for the Mardi Gras Parade scheduled for March 1, 2025 were made. Theme this year is Beads and Bling, It’s a Mardi Gras thing.
Parade will follow the same route as in the past.
OLD BUSINESS: CPA Jacob Waguespack outlined the financials for November. Mr. Waguespack explained that the funds in Love Louisiana outdoors grant are to be moved to the consolidated account and also the funds in the Debt service funds – building.
He explained he and his workers are getting ready for the audit.
The Ordinance is tabled until the February meeting.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
FIRE: Chief Washington reported 15 calls for the month, all units are in service, monthly meeting was held. February meeting will be held the second week of the month.
POLICE: Chief Anderson reported 15 calls inside the city limits. He informed the Board that his full-time officer is leaving but will continue to work part-time when needed.
MAINTENANCE: Public Works Director Lee Butler asked the Board if they had any concerns or questions. Alderwoman Mitchel reported the unsafe parking of the Town’s vehicle. Mr. Butler explained his priorities were gas, water and sewer. He explained that the Town has not been in any violations for any of these utilities. He also asked the Board to call him at the time they see anything, so he can handle the problem then.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
FINANCE: Alderwoman Hill presented December check registers to the Board of all payments made in December.
UTILITIES: Alderman Carriere requested if there is anyone being trained to take over for Mr. Butler. He also requested information on the readings.
He has been reviewing the utility bills and some things are not looking correct. Mayor Harris advised that he will be reviewing these monthly as soon as he is connected to the accounting program.
PERSONNEL: Alderman Bessix didn’t have anything new to add.
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Alderwoman Mitchel will send letters.
ROADS, STREETS & DRAINAGE: Alderman Martin was absent.
A motion was made to go into Executive Session and amend the agenda to include the Settlement Agreement among the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System and the Town of Maringouin by Alderwoman Hill, seconded by Alderman Carriere and unanimously approved by the Board in attendance.
The motion to return to the Regular Meeting was done by Alderwoman Mitchel and seconded by Alderman Carriere and unanimously approved by the Board in attendance.
A motion was made by Alderman Carriere to reject the Settlement Request of the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System. Motion seconded by Alderwoman Mitchel and unanimously approved by the Board in attendance
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, meeting was adjourned.
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Maurice Harris, Mayor Carolyn Marino, Clerk